While wireless charging theoretically enables a device to be charged without the necessity of a cable, it does not provide the level of freedom implied by its name. For the first time, Ossia and Archos have formed a partnership to develop the world’s first wirelessly charged items, which will be available by the end of this year.
We were blown away by Ossia’s inaugural demonstration of its Cota Real Wireless Power technology at CES 2016. The majority of people believe that wireless charging consists of just placing an electronic gadget on a charging station. While this is more convenient than dealing with a cable, it does demand that these gadgets be placed away for a few hours while they recharge.
With Ossia’s Cota, you may begin charging your phone or tablet immediately upon proximity to a wireless power transmitter
There are transmitters that can be installed in a room (hidden beneath ceiling tiles or behind furniture), and when you enter a room with one of these transmitters, your smartphone will automatically begin charging, even if you are not actively using it.
While the Cota wireless power technology is detailed in greater detail here, one of the primary barriers to consumer adoption is that devices require a dedicated RF receiving chip to access wireless power broadcasts.
Ossia has been offering aftermarket enhancements such as a Cota-compatible smartphone case and Cota-compatible AA batteries that can be used in devices that require replaceable batteries until other manufacturers agree to include the Cota chip.
On this day, some five years after the first public demonstrations, Ossia officially presented the first range of products that will be Cota-ready out of the box. Even if Archos is not a household name, it is another positive step for this emerging technology.
Meanwhile, Archos has promised at least four Cota-compatible gadgets for next year, including an indoor wireless camera that can be installed anywhere without worrying about its battery dying.
Air quality and temperature displays, a smart tracker that recharges automatically upon return home, and an altitude-compatible smartwatch.
They will not change the world, but they will exhibit Ossia’s Cota technology, and perhaps other gadget makers will follow suit with these four items. All of this, however, is contingent upon Ossia’s Cota wireless power transmitter remaining reasonably priced.
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